Spindle-drive assembly for textile spinning machines

ABSTRACT

The drive tape is directed into desired engagement with the whirls of at least three spindles on each side of the spinning machine, and with a centrally located tape-driving drum rotatable in either direction, by pairs of idler and tension pulleys symmetrically mounted adjacent the driving drum and preferably adjacent the center of the machine for unitary vertical adjustment.

United States Patent [191 Merck 1 SPINDLE-DRIVE ASSEMBLY FOR TEXTILE SPINNING MACHINES [75] Inventor: James K. Merck, Piedmont, SC. [73] Assignee: Maremont Corporation, Chicago, Ill. [22-] Filed: Feb. 7, 1972 [2]] Appl. No.: 223,947

[52] US. Cl. 57/105 [51] Int. Cl. DOlh H24 [58] Field of Search 57/99, 104, 105

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,796,392 3/1931 Owen et al 57/105 1,820,310 8/1931 Kooistra 57/105 X 1,869,692 8/1932 Homer 57/105 [1 1 3,753,344 Aug. 21, 1973 6/1940 Bergmann 57/99 2,519,769 8/1950 Kooistra 57/105 2,655,782 10/1953 Cutler 57/105 3,479,809 11/1969 Herube1.. 57/105 3,603,069 9/1971 Greive 57/105 Primary Examiner-John Petrakes Attorney loseph H. Heard [57] ABSTRACT The drive tape is directed into desired engagement with the whirls of at least three spindles on each side of the spinning machine, and with a centrally located tapedriving drum rotatable in either direction, by pairs of idler and tension pulleys symmetrically mounted adja- 1 cent the driving drum and preferably adjacent the center of the machine for unitary vertical adjustment.

12 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures SPINDLE-DRIVE ASSEMBLY FOR TEXTILE SPINNING MACHINES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION spinning machine and the remaining two onthe opposite side thereof. More recently it has been recognized that certain benefits can be realized if more than four spindles are driven by each assembly. A lesser number of assemblies is, required for each machine, and therefore manufacturing cost are reduced. Additionally, if two or more of the four spindles driven by a single conventional assembly should be braked to halt at the same time, the drag imposed upon the tape component of the assembly by its passage over the then-stationary whirls of the braked spindles causes a substantial reduction in the speed of the tape and therefore in the speed of rotation of the remaining spindles of the driven group. When a greater number of spindles is driven by each assembly, the foregoing undesirable effect is significantly lessened.

The aforesaid benefits, realizable by an assembly which drives an increased number of spindles, may be negated or outweighed if the assembly is deficient in other respects. Thus, if the drive tape component of the assembly does not make a wrap of sufficient and preferably equal magnitude about the whirl of each driven spindle, uniform sindle speeds can in all liklihood not be achieved even when none of the spindles are braked. Good contact must also be maintained at all times between the tape and the driving pulley of the assembly, to prevent excessive slippage therebetween and the attendant problems of speed variations, power loss and rapid tape wear. The latter problem, of rapid wearing of the tape, is particularly acute in an assembly of the type under consideration, due to the increased load imposed upon the tape. The assembly should therefore also be designed and constructed so as to alleviate insofar as possible the other stresses imposed upon the tape, as by skewing and frictional heating thereof. Another significant requirement is that the assembly should not in any way impair or restrict the versatility or utility of the spinning machine with which it is employed. In that regard, the elevation of the spindle whirls and/or of the entire spindles may vary on a particular spinning machine, as by reason of the use of spindles or differing manufacture or by the production of yarn-packages of different sizes at different times.

The spindle-drive assembly should be adjustable to acnot require any modifications or adjustments upon reversal of the direction of spindle rotation. In view of the present emphasis upon automation, there is also increased liklihood that any spinning machine will be serviced by one or more types of automatic cleaning, doffing, end-down repairing or other devices operable at least in part in the vicinity of the spindle rails of the machine. It is therefore desirable for all components of the spindle-drive assembly to be located in general proximity to the axial center of the spinning machine so as to, among other things, not impede cleaning or other automatic or manual servicing of the machine in the vicinity of its spindle rails.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION With the foregoing in mind, a primary object of the present invention is the provision of a spindle-drive assembly which drives at least three spindles on each side of a spinning machine, such that fewer assemblies are required per machine and braking of some of the spindles does not cause an objectionably large reduction in the speed of the remaining spindles driven by the assembly, and which at the same time in no way impairs the versatility or utility of the spinning machine and is highly reliable, durable and efficient in operation.

A related and more specific object of the invention is the provision of a spindle-drive assembly of the type described which is capable of driving spindles of the spinning machine in either a clockwise or a counterclock wise direction, and which requires no adjustments or modifications whatsoever upon reversal of the direction of spindle rotation.

Another related and more specific object is the provision of a spindle-drive assembly of the type described which is quickly and easily adjustable in a vertical direction, both during and if desired subsequent to its installation upon a spinning machine, so as to be readily adaptable to varying elevations of the spindles of the machine.

Still another object is the provision of a spindle-drive assembly wherein the drive tape component is directed over relatively long free paths of travel to and from the whirl of each spindle driven by the assembly, and makes an equal wrap of approximately about each such whirl, but is caused to make a wrap in excess of about the tape-driving drum of the assembly.

A further related and more specific object is the provision of a spindle-drive assembly of the described type wherein all pulley components thereof are mounted generally adjacent the center of the spinning machine, indist'al relationship to the spindles of the machine and in symmetrical relationship to the tape-driving drum, for unitary vertical adjustment when desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a spindle-drive assembly which includes a drive tape directed about at least three and preferably four spindles on each side of a spinning machine by pairs of guide and tension pulleys mounted centrally of the spinning machine, in symmetrical relationship to a tape-driving drum, for unitary vertical adjustment in a convenient manner relative to the drum and the frame of the machine. The pulleys are so positioned as to direct the tape through equal wraps of approximately 90 about the whirl of each spindle driven by the assembly, and through a wrap in excess of 180 about the driving drum, in all positions of vertical adjustment thereof and irrespective of the direction of rotation of the drum. The drive tape extends substantially horizontally to and from each spindle over free paths of travel which are relatively long in extent, to minimize wearing of the tape and facilitate selfcentering thereof in relation to each spindle whirl about which it passes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING I FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The textile spinning machine 10 fragmentarily shown dle rails 12 and ring rails 14 extending along opposite sides thereof. Spindle rails 12 are fixedly supported intermediate their lengths by transverse frame-members or samsons 16, only one of which is shown in the drawing. Each samson 16 includes a central opening 16 and mounts a bearing assembly 18 which spans the lower portion of such opening. A shaft 20 extends longitudinally of machine 10 through the opening 16 of each samson 16, and is mounted by bearing assemblies 18 for rotation in either desired direction about its axis under the impetus of a drive mechanism provided at one end of machine 10 (not shown). Secured to shaft 20 for rotation with it are a plurality of pulleys or drums 22, one of which is shown in the drawing, of relatively large diameter. Upright spindles 24 are mounted upon spindle rails 12 by suitable bolsters 26, for rotation about their axes and adjustment if desired in a vertical direction, and a crowned whirl 28 is affixed to or formed integrally with the lower-end portion of each spindle 24. Although not shown in the drawing, each spindle 24 normally would be provided with brake means for restraining rotative movement thereof when desired.

The spindle-drive assembly of the illustrated embodiment of the invention generally includes an endless drive belt or tape 30 entrained about drum 22 and about the whirls 28 of four of the spindles 24 at each side of machine 10; means including a pair of tension pulleys 32 for maintaining tape 30 under desired tension and in good contact with drum 22; guide pulleys 34 cooperable with pulleys 32 for directing tape 30 along desired paths of travel relative to spindle whirls 28; and means including an elongate support member 36 mounting pulleys 32, 34 centrally of machine 10 and in symmetrical relationship to drum 22 for unitary vertical adjustment relative to drum 22 and the frame of machine 10.

Support member 36 extends longitudinally of machine I parallel to and directly above shaft 20, and is sufficiently long to span at least two samsons 16 of the machine. A bracket 38, which has an upwardly opening in FIG. 1 is of a conventional type having elongate spinand generally U-shaped center portion 38, is adjustably secured to each samson 16 by bolt-and-nut fastners 40, the bolt components of which pass through elongate vertical slots 42 provided through the samson on opposite sides of its central opening 16'. Support member 36 is secured within the U-shaped portion 38 of each bracket 38, as by a set screw 43, for unitary vertical adjustment therewith within the limits defined by the vertical extremities of samson slots 42.

A generally Y-shaped bracket 44 has its lower end portion clamped to member 36 in any suitable manner, and at its upper end portions mounts a pair of levers 46 for pivotable movement about the generally horizontal axes of pivot pins 48 which extend through the levers intermediate their lengths. Tension pulleys 32 are mounted upon the lower ends of levers 46, directly above drum 22 and equidistant from its axis of rotation, and in the illustrated static condition of the assembly are both disposed inwardly of the vertical planes extending tangentially of the drum's circumference. Biasing means in the form of a spring-cartridge assembly 50 is provided between the upper end portions of levers 46. Assembly 50 biases levers 46 in directions tending to pivot the upper end portions thereof outwardly or toward the opposite sides of machine 10, and therefore tending to pivot the lower ends of the levers and pulleys 32 inwardly toward each other and the center of machine 10.

Also clamped or otherwise suitably secured to support member 36 is a bracket 52, best shown in FIG. 2, which mounts guide pulleys 34 closely adjacent opposite sides of member 36 for rotation about substantially vertical axes in approximately the same horizontial plane as that passing tangentially of the upper surfaces of tension pulleys 32. The diameter of guide pulleys 34 is approximately equal to the spacing between adjacent spindles 24 of machine 10 at the whirl elevation of such spindles.

In the longitudinal direction of machine 10, tension pulleys 32 and drum 22 are bisected by a vertical plane extending tangentially of the whirls 28 of two endmost spindles 24, illustratively those shown at the bottom of FIG. 2, of the driven group of spindles, while guide pulleys 34 are positioned centrally of the spindle group and intermediate longitudinally adjacent spindles 24 thereof. The drive tape 30 entrained about pulleys 32, 34 is directed thereby, as is best shown in FIG. 2, through an identical wrap of approximately about the whirl 28 of each of the eight spindles 24. All spindles 24 therefore tend to be rotated by tape 30 at substantially the same speed under normal operating conditions. As shown in FIG. 1, pulleys 32 also direct tape 30 through a wrap about drum 22 which is in excess of and which preferably is approximately 270, and such pulleys further serve to maintain tape 30 under a desired tension-force predetermined by the force of spring assembly 50. The combined effect of these functions of pulleys 32 is to minimize the slippage that naturally tends to occur between tape 30 and drum 22 when a large number of spindles 24 are driven thereby.

Although some lateral variation in their positions is permissable, pulleys 32, 34 are located sufficiently near the center of machine 10 for tape 30 to extend freely over relatively long paths in passing to and from each spindle 24 driven thereby. This facilitates self-centering of tape 30 in relation to the crowned whirl 28 of each spindle 24, and also increases the useful life of the tape .pulleys 32 and the two spindles 24 immediately adjacent thereto, and/or due to frictional heating of the tape. It will be appreciated in the latter regard that considerable frictional heat may be generated by passage of tape 30 about the thenstationary whirls '28 of any spindles 24 which might be braked at a given time, and the present arrangement affords maximum opportunity for the dissipation of such heat. The generally central location of pulleys 32, 34 also affords relatively free access between adjacent spindles 24 to the interior of machine 10, as for purposes of cleaning or other servicing, and does not impede the utilization of automatic servicing equipment (not shown) which might be mounted upon and/0r operable closely adjacent spindle rails 12 of machine 10.

Vertical adjustment of the spindle-drive assembly, as for the purpose of accommodating spindles 24 having their whirls 28 located at a different elevation from that shown in the drawing, may be quickly and easily effected simply by loosening fasteners 40 and moving brackets 38 and elongate support member 36 upwardly or downwardly to the elevation is not excessive, compensation for the resulting change in the effective length of tape 30 will automatically be made by movement of tension pulleys 32 toward or away from each other. To effect a reversal of the direction of rotation of spindles 24 upon a reversal in the direction of the rotation of drum 22, no adjustments whatsoever are required in connection with pulleys 32, 34, due to their being positioned in symmetrical relationship about the axis of rotation of drum 22. The aforesaid benefits ensue even if in a particular spinning machine the axes of drum 22 and shaft 20 should be laterally offset somewhat from the machine s center line.

With a conventional four-spindle drive assembly, it has been found that braking of two of the spindles causes a reduction in speed of the remaining two spindles of approximately '28-34 percent. With the present eight-spindle drive assembly, braking of two spindles 24 causes a speed reduction of the remaining six spindles of only approximately 2-7 percent. Apart from this highly desirable result, it will further be realized that the present invention permits a lesser number of drive assemblies to be employed per spinning machine, which lessens manufacturing costs.

Various modifications of the illustrated and described preferred embodiment of the invention may of course be made. Pulleys 34 might be mounted and provided with biasing means such as hereinbefore described in connection with pulleys 32, so as to cause tensioning of tape 30 by pulleys 34 rather than by pulleys 32, or in addition thereto. It will also be appreciated that while a drive assembly for eight spindles has been shown and described, the assembly could readily be modified to instead drive a total of either six spindles or, by the addition of further pairs of guide pulleys 34, more than eight spindles.

Therefore, while a preferred embodiment of the invention has been specifically shown and described, it is to be understood that this was for purposes of illustra tion only, and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being in accordance with the following claims.

That which is claimed is:

desired extent. If the change in 0 in excess of 180 thereabout.

.pulley means includes a pair of tension pulleys 6 1. In a textile spinning machine having a frame, a pair of transversely spaced spindle rails mounted bysaid frame on opposite sides of said machine, and at least three upright spindles mounted for rotation upon each of said spindle rails, an improved spindle-drive assembly comprising:

an endless drive tape adapted to engage and rotate said spindles;

rotatable tape-drive means carried by said frame between said spindle rails for driving engagement with said drive tape;

tension-pulley means engaging said drive tape for maintaining said tape under desired tension and for directing said tape along desired paths of travel relative to said tape-drive means and at least one of said spindles upon each of said spindle rails;

guide-pulley means engaging said drive tape intermediate two adjacent spindles upon each of said spindle rails for directing said tape along desired paths of travel relative to said adjacent spindles; and

means mounting said tension-pulley means and said guide-pulley means upon said frame between and distal from said spindle rails for unitary vertical adjustment relative to said frame and to said spindles.

2. An assembly as in claim 1, wherein each of said spindles includes a whirl component and at least four of said spindles are mounted upon each of said spindle rails, and said tension-pulley means and said guidepulley means direct said tape over relatively long free paths of travel to and from said spindle whirls and through a'wrap of approximately 90 about each of saidspindle whirls.

3. An assembly as in claim 2, wherein said tape-drive means includes a rotatable shaft extending longitudinally of said machine between said spindle rails, and a drum mounted upon said shaft for rotation therewith, said tension-pulley means being mounted closely adjacent said drum and directing said tape through a wrap 4. An assembly as in claim 3, wherein said tensionmounted for resilient movement toward and away from each other in vertically spaced relationship to said drum and on opposite sides of the axis of rotation thereof, said belt being entrained about said tension pulleys and directed thereby through a wrap of approximately 270 about said drum.

5. An assembly as in claim 1, wherein said machine 'frame includes a samson extending transversely of said spindle rails, and said mounting means includes an elongate support member extending longitudinally of said machine between and in laterally spaced relationship to said spindle rails, bracket means connecting said support member to said samson for vertical adjustment when desired, said tension-pulley means and said guide-pulley means being carried by said support member for unitary vertical adjustment therewith.

6. An assembly as in claim 5, wherein said samson has a pair of substantially vertical slots extending therethrough, and further including releasable fasteners extending through said slots and said bracket and mounting said bracket upon said samson for vertical adjustment relative thereto within the limits imposed by the vertical extremities of said slots.

7. An assembly as in claim 5, wherein said guidepulley means comprises a pair of guide pulleys each rotatable about a substantially vertical axis and each having a diameter approximately equal to the spacing between adjacent ones of said spindles of said machine, and a bracket member mounting said pulleys upon and closely adjacent opposite sides of said support member in distal relationship to said spindle rails of said machine.

8. An assembly as in claim 7, wherein said tensionpulley means comprises a pair of tension pulleys each rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis, a generally Y-shaped bracket supported adjacent its lower end portion by said support member, a pair of levers pivotally connected intermediate their lengths to said Y- shaped bracket and mounting corresponding ones of said tension pulleys adjacent the lower ends thereof for movement of said tension pulleys toward and away from each other, and biasing means engaging the upper ends of said levers and biasing the same in a direction tending to move said tension pulleys toward each other.

9. An assembly as in claim 8, wherein said tape-drive means includes a rotatable shaft extending longitudinally and centrally of said machine, a drum mounted upon said shaft for rotation therewith in either direction, said support member being mounted in vertically spaced and substantially parallel relationship to said shaft, and said tension pulleys being disposed directly above said drum on opposite sides of the axis of rotation thereof.

10. An assembly as in claim 9, wherein each of said spindles includes a whirl component and at least four of said spindles are mounted upon each of said spindle rails, said tape being directed through a wrap of approximately 90 about each of said spindle whirls and through a wrap in excess of 180 about said drum.

11. In a textile spinning machine having a frame, a pair of transversely spaced spindle rails mounted by said frame on opposite sides of said machine, and at least three upright spindles mounted for rotation upon each of said spindle rails, an improved spindle-drive assembly comprising:

an endless drive tape adapted to engage and rotate said spindles;

rotatable tape-drive means carried by said frame between said spindle rails for driving engagement with said drive tape;

first pulley means engaging said drive tape for directing said tape along desired paths of travel relative to said tape-drive means and at least one of said spindles upon each of said spindle rails; second pulley means engaging said drive tape intermediate two adjacent spindles upon each of said spindles rails for directing said tape along desired paths of travel relative to said adjacent spindles;

biasing means operatively associated with at least one of said pulley means and cooperable therewith for maintaining said drive tape under desired tension; and

means mounting said first and second pulley means upon said frame between and distal from said spindle rails for unitary vertical adjustment relative to said frame and to said spindles.

12. An assembly as in claim 11, wherein said tapedrive means includes a rotatable shaft extending longitudinally of said machine, and a drum mounted upon said shaft for rotation therewith in either direction, said mounting means including an elongate support member extending in generally parallel and vertically spaced relationship to said shaft, and bracket means mounting said shaft upon said frame for vertical adjustment when desired, said first and second pulley means being carried by said support member for unitary vertical adjustment therewith. 

1. In a textile spinning machine having a frame, a pair of transversely spaced spindle rails mounted by said frame on opposite sides of said machine, and at least three upright spindles mounted for rotation upon each of said spindle rails, an improved spindle-drive assembly comprising: an endless drive tape adapted to engage and rotate said spindles; rotatable tape-drive means carried by said frame between said spindle rails for driving engagement with said drive tape; tension-pulley means engaging said drive tape for maintaining said tape under desired tension and for directing said tape along desired paths of travel relative to said tape-drive means and at least one of said spindles upon each of said spindle rails; guide-pulley means engaging said drive tape intermediate two adjacent spindles upon each of said spindle rails for directing said tape along desired paths of travel relative to said adjacent spindles; and means mounting said tension-pulley means and said guide-pulley means upon said frame between and distal from said spindle rails for unitary vertical adjustment relative to said frame and to said spindles.
 2. An assembly as in claim 1, wherein each of said spindles includes a whirl component and at least four of said spindles are mounted upon each of said spindle rails, and said tension-pulley means and said guide-pulley means direct said tape over relatively long free paths of travel to and from said spindle whirls and through a wrap of approximately 90* about each of said spindle whirls.
 3. An assembly as in claim 2, wherein said tape-drive means includes a rotatable shaft extending longitudinally of said machine between said spindle rails, and a drum mounted upon said shaft for rotation therewith, said tension-pulley means being mounted closely adjacent said drum and directing said tape through a wrap in excess of 180* thereabout.
 4. An assembly as in claim 3, wHerein said tension-pulley means includes a pair of tension pulleys mounted for resilient movement toward and away from each other in vertically spaced relationship to said drum and on opposite sides of the axis of rotation thereof, said belt being entrained about said tension pulleys and directed thereby through a wrap of approximately 270* about said drum.
 5. An assembly as in claim 1, wherein said machine frame includes a samson extending transversely of said spindle rails, and said mounting means includes an elongate support member extending longitudinally of said machine between and in laterally spaced relationship to said spindle rails, bracket means connecting said support member to said samson for vertical adjustment when desired, said tension-pulley means and said guide-pulley means being carried by said support member for unitary vertical adjustment therewith.
 6. An assembly as in claim 5, wherein said samson has a pair of substantially vertical slots extending therethrough, and further including releasable fasteners extending through said slots and said bracket and mounting said bracket upon said samson for vertical adjustment relative thereto within the limits imposed by the vertical extremities of said slots.
 7. An assembly as in claim 5, wherein said guide-pulley means comprises a pair of guide pulleys each rotatable about a substantially vertical axis and each having a diameter approximately equal to the spacing between adjacent ones of said spindles of said machine, and a bracket member mounting said pulleys upon and closely adjacent opposite sides of said support member in distal relationship to said spindle rails of said machine.
 8. An assembly as in claim 7, wherein said tension-pulley means comprises a pair of tension pulleys each rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis, a generally Y-shaped bracket supported adjacent its lower end portion by said support member, a pair of levers pivotally connected intermediate their lengths to said Y-shaped bracket and mounting corresponding ones of said tension pulleys adjacent the lower ends thereof for movement of said tension pulleys toward and away from each other, and biasing means engaging the upper ends of said levers and biasing the same in a direction tending to move said tension pulleys toward each other.
 9. An assembly as in claim 8, wherein said tape-drive means includes a rotatable shaft extending longitudinally and centrally of said machine, a drum mounted upon said shaft for rotation therewith in either direction, said support member being mounted in vertically spaced and substantially parallel relationship to said shaft, and said tension pulleys being disposed directly above said drum on opposite sides of the axis of rotation thereof.
 10. An assembly as in claim 9, wherein each of said spindles includes a whirl component and at least four of said spindles are mounted upon each of said spindle rails, said tape being directed through a wrap of approximately 90* about each of said spindle whirls and through a wrap in excess of 180* about said drum.
 11. In a textile spinning machine having a frame, a pair of transversely spaced spindle rails mounted by said frame on opposite sides of said machine, and at least three upright spindles mounted for rotation upon each of said spindle rails, an improved spindle-drive assembly comprising: an endless drive tape adapted to engage and rotate said spindles; rotatable tape-drive means carried by said frame between said spindle rails for driving engagement with said drive tape; first pulley means engaging said drive tape for directing said tape along desired paths of travel relative to said tape-drive means and at least one of said spindles upon each of said spindle rails; second pulley means engaging said drive tape intermediate two adjacent spindles upon each of said spindles rails for directing said tape along desired paths of travel relative to said adjacent spindles; bIasing means operatively associated with at least one of said pulley means and cooperable therewith for maintaining said drive tape under desired tension; and means mounting said first and second pulley means upon said frame between and distal from said spindle rails for unitary vertical adjustment relative to said frame and to said spindles.
 12. An assembly as in claim 11, wherein said tape-drive means includes a rotatable shaft extending longitudinally of said machine, and a drum mounted upon said shaft for rotation therewith in either direction, said mounting means including an elongate support member extending in generally parallel and vertically spaced relationship to said shaft, and bracket means mounting said shaft upon said frame for vertical adjustment when desired, said first and second pulley means being carried by said support member for unitary vertical adjustment therewith. 